Administration

Tameka Edwards-Chihota is responsible for managing the grant making process. With over 15 years of experience working with non-profits as an event planning and fundraising professional Tameka has been responsible for raising millions of dollars for community-based groups. Most recently Tameka served as the Executive Manager of a regional convention center.

Tameka coordinates educational and social networking programs, service events and fundraisers in her home city of Gary, Indiana. She has worked with the Boys and Girls Club, Urban League, The Salvation Army and Susan G Komen for the Cure in an effort to create impactful community programs and events in the city.

She helped create a forum for local youth to discuss their rights and proper interaction with law enforcement and helped a local student afford the opportunity to attend a NASA space camp. Tameka is passing on the legacy of stewardship to her daughter, who often volunteers with her. Tameka is living a life of service as the past social chair and community service chair for Sigma Theta Zeta graduated chapter of Zeta Phi Beta.

Tonya Ehrenhaft is the executive assistant for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. She supports the President and CEO, the Senior Vice President of Operations, and the Senior Vice President of Philanthropy. She also manages the Foundation’s facilities and its participation in the Cristo Rey/Christ the King Corporate Work Study Program. She started with the Foundation in May 1999 as a Communities Program Assistant and Secretary to the Vice President of Philanthropy. Shortly thereafter, she was asked to support the full executive team.

Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, Tonya spent three years at a merchant credit card processing bank and taught early education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from DePaul University in 1995.

Ahvia Reynolds is our office coordinator and receptionist for the downtown office. Ahvia joined the Foundation in September, 2012. Her responsibilities are receiving guests, managing donations, sponsorships and office facilities. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ahvia worked as a Human Resources coordinator for a major Illinois utility. She attended DePaul University and majored in Marketing.

Aaron Smith joined the Foundation in November 2000, and provides support to the General Fund team, which includes the Democracy, Education and Veterans Program. His responsibilities include all aspects of grants administration, including drafting grant agreements, as well as agreements with outside consultants, reporting and handling invoices.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Aaron worked as a legal assistant at Zenith Electronics, and as an Account Executive at TMP Worldwide, and a marketing copywriter at Ruppman Marketing Technologies. Aaron received his B.A. in Radio/Television from Bradley University and his M.A. in Speech Communication from Morehead State University in Kentucky.

Communications

Phil Zepeda leads the team that manage all strategic communications for the Foundation as well as Cantigny Park and Cantigny Golf. With a deep background in marketing communications and public affairs, he’s held senior communications leadership roles at the national headquarters of Feeding America and the American Red Cross. He holds degrees from Northwestern University and Northern Illinois University, and serves on the Board of Directors of Amate House, the young adult volunteer program of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Dave Blake designs and produces a variety of digital and print content for use throughout Cantigny Park. He is also the managing editor of the Bridgehead Sentinel, the official newsletter of the Society of the 1st Infantry Division. Dave has been with the Foundation for 9 years starting with the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in 2009. Dave holds an Associate’s Degree in Printing Pre-Press Technology from College of DuPage and a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design from Robert Morris University.

Lisa Bryant oversees the creative, digital and social media team. In her role, she manages social media content development and strategy for Cantigny Park, Museums and Golf. She also leads creative communications, visual and digital marketing and brand management for both Cantigny Park and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Lisa holds a BA in Creative Communications from DePaul University.

Brad Lash manages content and updates for the Foundations' websites and produces digital content for the web and social media. He moved to the Communications department in 2010 after four years of service with the McCormick Foundation's Freedom Museum and Freedom Express as Exhibit Technician and Technology Coordinator. Brad holds a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology from Purdue University.

Francisco Martinez develops, executes and analyzes the Foundation’s digital strategy, and manages internal communication. He has previously served as communications manager for Erie Neighborhood House, and as a grant writer for Hamdard Healthcare. Francisco is currently a metro Board member for Metropolitan Family Services, and the current Chair of the National Foundation of Alpha Psi Lambda Fraternity. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in International Studies and History, and minors in Political Science and Spanish.

Ana Myers designs, implements and develops marketing collateral for the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park. She also manages the museum’s social media channels and oversees its website. Prior to joining the museum in 2015, Ana worked in brand development and visual design for higher education, parks and recreation, and as a freelancer. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Indiana University.

Abby Pfeiffer oversees the execution of internal and external marketing and communications strategies at the Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Abby worked as Marketing Associate in Commercial Banking at LaSalle Bank. In 2004, she assisted with marketing, communications, publicity and event planning efforts for a U.S. Senate campaign. She holds a BA in Communications at Indiana University with a minor in Business, In 2016, she graduated from the Crain’s Leadership Academy.

Jeff Reiter oversees communications and marketing for Cantigny Park and Cantigny Golf in Wheaton, the former estate of Robert R. McCormick. He joined the Foundation in 2008 after serving 11 years in corporate communications for Tribune Company. Jeff holds a BA from Washington and Lee University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He serves on the board of the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce.

Communities

Bill Koll serves as the Director of the Communities Program, which partners with local sports teams and philanthropic organizations to raise money (matched by the Foundation) in support of programs that address the economic and racial disparities experienced by many of our city's children, youth, and adults.

Mr. Koll began his career with the Foundation as a Program Officer in 1997. Prior to joining the Foundation, Mr. Koll spent four years as the Program Director for the Chicago I Have a Dream Foundation, a social service agency providing tutoring, mentoring, and scholarship programs for youth in low income communities. Mr. Koll holds a Master’s degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from DePaul University.

Noreen Castor is the Associate Director of Development of the Communities Program, responsible for leading the team with its fundraising and marketing strategies, campaigns, and efforts.

Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, Noreen spent five years at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Foundation where she managed its direct marketing fundraising program, and created and led its hospital's employee campaign. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Management with a Marketing minor from Purdue University.

Jodie Lawton is the Engagement Officer of the Communities Program, responsible for leading the major gifts and planned giving strategy, providing Development support for place-based initiatives, and assisting with efforts to establish new partnerships.

Jodie started her career in program development and management. In 2007, she began to focus solely on fundraising. Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, she was Director of Corporate Relations for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Previously, Jodie was Director of Consulting Resources for Grenzebach Glier and Associates, a consulting firm focused on philanthropic strategy. Some of the other organizations Jodie has worked for include American Liver Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Illinois Chapter, Illinois Action for Children, Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis, and Camp Fire Boys and Girls West Michigan Council. Jodie has a bachelor’s degree in human development and social relations from Kalamazoo College and a master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis.

Molly Baltman Leonard is the Assistant Director / Grantmaking in the Communities Program, responsible for managing relationships with corporate partners and helping to develop, implement and evaluate grant strategies. Leonard leads the workforce development and child abuse prevention giving areas.

Previously, Leonard served as Executive Director of Archeworks for six years. Previously, she worked as a foster care case manager, then at the IDCFS Inspector General’s Office, concentrating on the Paternal Involvement and Grandparents Raising Grandchildren pilot projects. She holds a MA from University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, a BA in Human Ecology from Michigan State University, and was a 2009 International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation Fellow.

Caroline McCoy is a Program Officer in the Communities program. Her responsibilities include managing relationships with corporate partners and assisting them in developing, implementing, and evaluating grant strategies in their local communities. She coordinates the Communities Program's homelessness and child abuse prevention and treatment funding areas, and supports the place-based initiative in Englewood.

Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, Mrs. McCoy was an Associate Director at Arabella Advisors where she supported family and individual clients by providing strategic guidance on grants management, due diligence, governance, next-generation engagement, and daily Foundation operations. Previously, she worked at Ounce of Prevention Fund, where she served as a project manager for several early childhood initiatives and also worked on advocacy efforts to help improve services and programs for young children and families across the state of Illinois. Mrs. McCoy holds a BA in political science with a minor in African American studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MS in public service management from DePaul University.

Alberto Morales is the Data Manager in the Communities Program. He is responsible for evaluating data, with a focus on racial equity, to help inform program impact and strategies, grant recommendations, and donor communication.

Alberto began his career at McCormick as the Education Program Associate where he supported family engagement strategies. Previously, he served as Assistant Director of the Georgetown Scholarship Program, empowering over 600 first-generation students. Alberto has also worked on education, immigration, voter and reproductive rights, and civic engagement policies through his positions at Brown University, Voto Latino and Latino Victory Project. He holds a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University, and a B.Sc. in Health Care Management and Policy from Georgetown University.

David Pesqueira is a Senior Program Officer in the Communities Program. His responsibilities include managing relationships with corporate partners and assisting them to develop, implement and evaluate grant strategies in their communities. Mr. Pesqueira coordinates the Communities Program’s hunger and literacy funding areas, and is a member of the National Adult Literacy Network, a task force of the Council on Foundations.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 1993, Mr. Pesqueira worked at the Chicago Tribune Foundation, the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning, the Community Renewal Society and as a fellow with the Chicago Community Trust. Mr. Pesqueira holds a Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies and Latin American Studies from Brandeis University and is a co-founder of Chicago Latinos in Philanthropy, and the Latino Giving Circle, a donor-advised fund.

Ava Schneider is the Administrative Officer for the Communities Program. Her responsibilities include supporting the fundraising and grantmaking functions of Communities, as well as project management assistance across the Program.

Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, Ms. Schneider gained experience as a personal aide and event planner in Chicago, and also as a research assistant and tutor while an undergraduate. She holds a bachelor's degree in both Cognitive Science and English from Case Western Reserve University.

Martha Truby is Data Analytics Manager for the Communities Program and her primary responsibilities include gift processing, database administration, and fundraising analytics. Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, Ms. Truby spent the previous decade working in the nonprofit sector helping organizations streamline their operations and use data to improve their fundraising programs. Her most recent tenure was with the Oakwood Foundation, the supporting organization for a nonprofit retirement community in Madison, Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Democracy

Shawn Healy serves as the Foundation's internal resource for knowledge on civic education and engagement. Healy plays a key role in the Democracy Program’s work in the areas of advocacy and public policy, serving as a chair of the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition, and leading the state’s Democracy Schools Initiative.

Healy recently chaired the Illinois Task Force on Civic Education and led the successful push for a required high school civics course in Illinois. He also led the Illinois Social Science Standards Task Force in 2014-2015. Its recommendations were adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education in June 2015.

Healy makes regular appearances as a guest speaker and panelist at academic and professional development conferences across the country, is a frequent contributor to local media, and produces original scholarship in the area of political participation and civic education.

Before joining the McCormick Foundation, he served as a social studies teacher at West Chicago Community High School and Sheboygan North High School. A 2001 James Madison Fellow from the State of Wisconsin, he holds a MA and PhD from the University of Illinois at Chicago in political science and earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in Political Science, History and Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Healy's doctoral dissertation is titled "Essential School Supports for Civic Learning."

Sonia Mathew is the Civic Learning Manager for the Democracy Program at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. In this role, she manages the Democracy Schools Initiative and assists with programmatic and grantmaking efforts to strengthen the state's civic education system. Prior to joining the Foundation, Sonia was a social studies teacher at North Lawndale College Preparatory Charter High School. She also has experience in the nonprofit sector and worked with Urban Teacher Residency United, Mikva Challenge, and Public Allies Chicago. She completed her BA in Political Science at the University of Michigan and her MA through the Social and Cultural Foundations in Education program at DePaul University.

A committed partnership-builder, Andres has worked in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors fostering collaborations to drive social change. His experience includes policy-making in several fields, from transportation to tourism. Prior to McCormick, he led work at Grand Victoria Foundation developing networks to improve early childhood and environmental policy in Illinois.

He brings to the Democracy Program an understanding of government institutions, built through service in local, regional, and national public agencies, including most recently, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, where he focused on developing strategies to promote inclusive economic growth. Andres holds degrees in City Design and Policy, from the London School of Economics, and Humanities, from Yale University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Children’s Choir.

Education

Grumman joins the McCormick Foundation from the Urban Education Institute at the University of Chicago where she served as Director of Policy & Strategic Communications since 2013. While there, she headed strategic marketing and policy efforts and leveraged local and national partnerships as channels for UEI knowledge. Prior to that role, Grumman spent five years with the Ounce of Prevention Fund as the Founding Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund, spearheading the start-up of an influential campaign designed to secure greater federal investments in high quality early education. With a journalism career spanning more than 20 years, Grumman held reporting duties with the News & Observer (Raleigh) and the Chicago Tribune, where in 2003 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing for her editorials on capital punishment.

Yanira Cirino joined the McCormick Foundation in October 2018 as Administrative Officer. She provides administrative and event support to the Education team and the Special Initiatives Director.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Yanira worked at the Newberry Library, the Chicago High School for the Arts and Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education. She also gained customer service experience as a flight attendant for United Airlines. Yanira holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Communication from the Universidad de Puerto Rico and a Master's degree in Nonprofit Management for Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, also in Puerto Rico.

Wendy Uptain is the Program Officer for the Education Program at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. In this role, she assists with programmatic and grantmaking efforts to strengthen the state’s early childhood education system.

Wendy began her career as an early childhood educator. She has worked in policy and advocacy, providing recommendations and consultation to national policymakers, state superintendents, and state agency leaders on a range of issues including educator evaluation, teacher preparation, and early childhood education. She founded the Hope Street Group Fellowship, a prestigious leadership program for teachers to learn about and influence national and state policy. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Brigham Young University and an MPA from the George Washington University.

Finance

Sheau-ming Ross began serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation in September 2016. Ross joins the McCormick Foundation with more than 18 years of finance, management, operations, and strategy experience. Ross was previously the Chief Financial Officer for Mattersight Corporation, a publicly-traded Software as a Service (SaaS) company. Prior to Mattersight, Ross served as Chief Financial Officer for EPAY Systems and Silver Chalice. Before that, Ross worked in various financial leadership positions for the Tribune Company, including Chief Financial Officer for WGN-TV, WGN Radio, CLTV, and WGN America. Ross also previously worked in the strategy, corporate development and corporate venture capital groups at Tribune Company. She started her career in investment banking at Credit Suisse Group.

Ross holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

Sheau-ming resides in Evanston, Illinois with her husband Ian and three daughters.

Nakita Burrell leads the Accounting/Finance function for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Nakita holds responsibility for risk management, grants processing, accounting, managerial and financial reporting, annual planning, and administrative corporate finance duties and has over 20 years of experience.

Prior to McCormick, Nakita was the Financial Planning Manager at Constellation Brands. Before that, Nakita held responsibility for the strategic and annual planning function at Shure, Inc. Nakita hales from Atlanta, GA and began her career at PWC Chicago, one of the premier global accounting firms.

Nakita holds a B.Sc. in Accounting- Manga Cum Laude from Bradley University, a M.B.A. from DePaul University and is a certified public accountant. Nakita currently resides in Chicago with her husband Terrence.

Luz Santiago is the Staff Accountant & Department Administrator for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. She has been with the Foundation since 2014 and is responsible for providing support to the senior management team and directors at Cantigny Park. In addition, she is an integral part of both the Finance and Human Resources departments. Ms. Santiago holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Roosevelt University.

Human Resources

Whitney is the Talent Acquisition Specialist for the McCormick Foundation and Cantigny Park. She serves as an advocate for the foundation, identifying and attracting exceptional and diverse talent across teams. Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, she spent more than three years at Arabella Advisors, a philanthropy consulting firm, managing talent acquisition, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Whitney also served in other recruiting and project management roles at two national, retained executive search firms: Alford Executive Search and Carrington & Carrington.

Whitney holds a master of social work from Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work and a bachelor of arts in Psychology and African and African American Studies also from Washington University in St. Louis. A native Chicagoan, she is a member of the South Side Giving Circle in partnership with the Chicago Foundation for Women.

Organizational Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives

In striving to amplify the impact of McCormick’s mission-driven work, Courtney Steck seeks out and capitalizes on opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness and performance. She serves as an internal consultant who assists staff across the Foundation in defining business problems, analyzing root causes, conducting research, and designing solutions. Courtney also contributes her process design, facilitation, and project management skills to strategic initiatives across the Foundation. She appreciates the opportunity to work across departmental boundaries in order to foster organizational cohesion and strategic alignment.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2006, Courtney served as an education programs manager for ArtrainUSA, a non-profit that traveled art exhibitions—via the nation’s railways—to predominantly rural communities across the country. She completed her B.A. in History at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and her M.A. in Humanities and Social Thought at New York University, where she also earned an advanced certificate in Museum Studies.

Special Initiatives

Anna Laubach joined The McCormick Foundation in 2008. Anna leads special projects including development of new initiatives to support the Foundation’s place based work to strengthen local communities, and a national initiative to address unmet mental health needs of returning veterans and their families.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Anna was a senior program officer at the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. Prior to that, she was a senior program officer for the McCormick Foundation where she over saw child abuse prevention, domestic violence and adult literacy initiatives. She serves on the board of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Thresholds and has served on a number of committees and advisory groups addressing violence and public safety, mental health and wellness in the city.

Anna received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan and her bachelor’s degree in history from Rice University.

Veterans

Megan Everett, Director of the Veterans Program for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is a former Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. As Director of the Veterans Program, Megan manages a grant portfolio focused on veteran employment to include education and entrepreneurship, behavior health and wellness, and systems navigation. Megan joined the Foundation in August 2014.

Megan served on the USS JARRETT (FFG-33) as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and on the USS DENVER (LPD-9) during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her last tour in the Navy was on a Personal Exchange Program to the Canadian Fleet Atlantic in Halifax, NS. Following her service in the Navy, Megan worked at a small nonprofit with adults with disabilities doing job placement and supported employment in Athens, OH. She was then the Service Learning Coordinator at Chapel Hill High School working with local and national nonprofits and community organizations in the Research Triangle area. She moved to Chicago in 2010 to work at Northwestern University at the Center for Civic Engagement and Center for Leadership. Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, Megan was the Assistant Director at Northwestern’s Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the McCormick School of Engineering.

Megan serves as a Community Member on the Board of Governors for Rickover Naval Academy in Chicago Public Schools. She is an advisory board member for the Advisory Council on Veterans Affairs for the city of Chicago and on the Illinois Veterans Advisory Council. Megan is a board member for the Veterans Leadership Council in Chicago and a Political Partner for the Truman National Security Project. Megan is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the American Red Cross of Chicago. Megan received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University receiving her commission through Naval ROTC. She has a MBA from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University.

Emanuel “Manny” Johnson joined the McCormick Foundation in 2016. Prior, he served 6 years in the Navy as an Information Systems Technician. During his tour of service he was stationed onboard the U.S.S. Vella Gulf (CG-72) and with the National Security Agency.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the George Washington University. While attending GWU he served as president of GW Veterans, a chapter of Student Veterans of America. He also served as the coordinator for the Veteran Service Initiative, creating service opportunities for veterans in their community and increasing GW’s student body involvement with veterans in their community.

Emanuel returned to his home state of Illinois to accept an appointment to the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs where he served as Senior Policy Advisor, focusing on community outreach and engagement. He headed task forces and councils designed to provide critical feedback to the Director of Veterans’ Affairs. As well as leading the department’s veterans’ hiring initiative.